Sec. 1. 7 MRSA c. 10-B is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 10-B

MAINE FARMS FOR THE FUTURE PROGRAM

§317.__Maine Farms for the Future Program

The Maine Farms for the Future Program, referred to in this chapter as the "program," is created.__The program is administered by the department, either directly or by contract with a suitable organization.__The program provides a selected farm with assistance in developing a detailed business plan that involves changes in the farm's operation to increase the vitality of the farm and investment money to help implement the plan. The department shall organize a review panel, referred to in this chapter as the "panel," to evaluate and approve applications for participation in the program and for investment support.

§318.__Business plan development

1.__Eligibility.__An applicant must own at least 5 acres of land in agricultural use and must submit an application to the department to be eligible for participation in the program pursuant to procedures developed by the department.

2.__Criteria for selection.__The panel shall evaluate and approve applications that are based upon criteria developed by the department, including:

A.__The degree of opportunity for increasing the vitality of the farm due to factors such as the capability of the applicant to effect positive changes in farm operations and the suitability of the land in agricultural use to sustain those changes; and

B.__The degree of threat to the continuation of agricultural use of the land due to factors such as the financial capacity and current farm management practices of the applicant and development pressures in the area where the farm is located.

3.__Services package; reimbursement.__ Once an applicant is selected to participate in the program, the department shall assist the selected farm in assembling a services package to develop the business plan within one year of the selection.__ These services may include: